Chickasaw National Recreation Area - Frequently Asked Questions about camping (U.S. National Park Service)

Below are commonly asked questions about camping in the park. Please contact us, or look elsewhere on the website if your question is not answered here.

What are your camping facilities and fees?
Can I reserve a campsite?
Does the park have cabins or lodging?
Can I bring my pet?

What are your camping facilities and fees?
Chickasaw National Recreation Area has six campgrounds with 410 camping sites. Camping fees vary from $12.00 for a tent site in the Platt District to premium utility sites (water and electric hookups) for $22.00 in the Arbuckle District. Quiet time in the campgrounds is 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. During the summer season, there are campground hosts in most of our campgrounds that can assist you.

Fees are collected through an automated fee machine at the entrance of each campground. The machine accepts either cash or major credit cards.

Camping rates (effective May 1, 2006):

Non-utility $12.00 (Cold Springs, Guy Sandy, & Rock Creek Campgrounds)
Non-utility $14.00 (Buckhorn and the Point Campgrounds)
Utility $20.00 (Buckhorn and the Point Campgrounds, and one site at Rock Creek Campground)
Premium utility $22.00 (May through Sept. Buckhorn Loop D #24, 25, 26 & Loop C #4, 5, 6, 7 and the Point #20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
Group Sites $24.00 (Rock Creek, Cold Springs & Central Campgrounds)

(top of page)

Can I reserve a campsite?
Some of our campsites are on a reservation system. Reservations can be made by calling recreation.gov

Sites at Chickasaw National Recreation Area under reservation system:

Group sites at Rock Creek, Central and Cold Springs Campgrounds - Rates are $24.00 per night per site. The Rock Creek group campsite is reservable year-round.
Buckhorn Campground: Loop C - Rates are utility sites $20.00 (Loop C only) per night, per site; premium utility sites $22.00 (May through September - Loop C sites #4, 5, 6, and 7) per night, per site, and non-utility sites $14.00 per night, per site (Loop C).
The Point, upper loop (Sites 42-56) - Rates are utility sites $20.00 per night, per site and non-utility sites $14.00 per night, per site.
Handicap-accessible sites at Buckhorn Loop C (sites 22-$14.00, and 30-$20.00) and The Point campground (site 41-$20.00). Other handicap-accessible sites throughout the park remain available on a first come, first serve basis.

Reservations for individual sites can be made 240 days in advance and group sites 360 days in advance, both no later than 7 days from arrival date.

2-day minimum reservation for weekends
3-day minimum reservations for holidays

A $9.00 reservation transaction fee is charged for reserved sites.

The rest of the campsites are on a first come, first serve basis. Availability of first come, first serve campsites depends on the time of the year, day of the week, and weather.
(top of page)

Does the park have cabins or lodging?
There are no lodging facilities inside the park; however, the surrounding area offers numerous lodging possibilities close to the park, ranging from rental cabins to budget motels.

The Sulphur Chamber of Commerce has information about lodging in Sulphur and the surrounding area. Contact their office at 580-622-2824.
(top of page)

Can I bring my pet?
Pets are allowed - always on a leash and never left alone. Areas that are closed to dogs are posted. Pets are prohibited on the trails east of the Travertine Nature Center, within the Travertine Nature Center, and in all locations where persons gather to swim or sunbathe. An exception to this rule is granted for service dogs accompanying persons with disabilities, regardless of the disability requiring the use of a service dog. This restriction does not apply to animals used by authorized Federal, State, and local law enforcement offices in the performance of their official duties.

Pet excrement must be disposed of in accordance with the following conditions:

All pet excrement must be removed by the owner/keeper from all trails, roads, camping areas, picnic areas, and parking areas, and shall be deposited in refuse containers or removed from the area.
(top of page)